: After a series of tragic events—including Mehru's suicide following the death of her Hindu lover—a guilt-ridden Anwar takes refuge in an ancient Hindu temple.
: Siddharth Koirala as Anwar, Nauheed Cyrusi as Mehru, and supporting performances by Rajpal Yadav, Manisha Koirala, and Sanjay Mishra.
The film is frequently cited in academic and critical reviews for its portrayal of Muslims in Indian cinema:
: The film was inspired by the director's own experience of being detained and interrogated for five hours in New York shortly after the 9/11 attacks. Musical Legacy anwar 2007
Upon release, Anwar received mixed-to-positive reviews.
Anwar is widely credited with introducing a new visual grammar to Malayalam cinema. Cinematographer Samir Thahir utilized warm tones, slow-motion sequences ("slo-mo"), and wide-angle shots that were heavily influenced by contemporary Tamil and Hollywood action aesthetics. The visual storytelling prioritized mood and "style" over realism, creating a glossy, larger-than-life atmosphere that was relatively new to the industry at the time.
: It highlights the role of "breaking news" culture in escalating communal tensions for ratings. : After a series of tragic events—including Mehru's
Through a series of flashbacks and investigative sequences, it is revealed that Anwar is on a mission of vengeance. He is hunting down those responsible for the death of his family members, specifically his sister. The plot thickens as Anwar systematically eliminates his targets, leading to a conflict with the police and a revelation regarding his past connection to Siddique’s household. The film culminates in a high-octane climax where Anwar confronts the primary antagonist responsible for his family's demise.
Anwar (2007) MEDIUM: Feature Film LANGUAGE: Malayalam DIRECTOR: Amal Neerad PRODUCER: Raj Zachariah RELEASE DATE: September 14, 2007
The next morning, a local boy steals Anwar's bag and hands it to the police. Inside, authorities discover detailed sketches and blueprints of various Hindu temples from Anwar's artistic research. Given his Muslim identity and his hiding place within a temple, the police and local politicians instantly label him a dangerous terrorist orchestrating a bomb plot. Anwar becomes trapped inside the building as an enormous sociopolitical circus erupts outside. Core Characters and Cast The visual storytelling prioritized mood and "style" over
Anwar (2007) remains a significant film in the filmography of Amal Neerad and Prithviraj. It demonstrated that Malayalam cinema could achieve international standards of visual storytelling. While the story was conventional, the execution set a new benchmark for action films in the region, influencing a wave of stylized thrillers in the years that followed.
. While it didn't find massive commercial success, it has since become a cult classic, largely due to its hauntingly beautiful soundtrack and its layered commentary on religious identity and socio-political prejudice in post-9/11 India. Plot Overview The story follows Anwar (Siddharth Koirala), a middle-class Muslim artist living in Lucknow who falls deeply in love with his neighbour, Mehru (Nauheed Cyrusi). His world shatters when Mehru elopes with his best friend, Udit. In a fit of impulsive heartbreak, Anwar reveals their location to Mehru’s family, leading to a tragic confrontation where Udit is killed and Mehru later dies by suicide. Consumed by guilt, Anwar seeks refuge in an ancient Hindu temple in Dholpur. He carries a bag filled with sketches of temples and notes on Lord Krishna and the devotee Meera—metaphors for his own unrequited love. However, the police discover the bag and, fueled by the era's heightened paranoia, mistake him for a terrorist planning to bomb the temple. Themes and Social Commentary Set against a backdrop of global and local tension—referencing figures like George W. Bush and Osama Bin Laden—the film serves as a "mirror image of the Indian condition". It explores several heavy themes: Media Sensationalism: The character Anita (Manisha Koirala) represents a media person desperate for a "live interview" to boost her career, highlighting how personal tragedy is often turned into a public spectacle. Political Opportunism: Politicians are shown eager to exploit the standoff at the temple to secure the "Hindu vote". Religious Harmony vs. Prejudice: Anwar’s personal devotion to Hindu iconography contrasts sharply with the extremist Imam who urges him to die rather than surrender. Cast and Production Siddharth Koirala as Anwar Nauheed Cyrusi as Mehreen "Mehru" Manisha Koirala as Anita Rajpal Yadav as Gopinath Vijay Raaz as Master Pasha Hiten Tejwani as Udit 10 sites Anwar (2007 film) - Bharatpedia He cannot imagine his life without her, but Mehru says that she never loved Anwar. Mehru runs away with Udit. Later, Seeing Mehru' Bharatpedia Anwar(2007)HD - Siddharth Koirala | Nauheed Cyrusi - YouTube 26 Oct 2009 —